Netflix’s The Perfect Couple, a six-episode limited series that premiered on September 5, 2024, has taken the streaming world by storm with its intoxicating blend of murder, mystery, and messy family dynamics. Adapted from Elin Hilderbrand’s 2018 bestselling novel of the same name, the series, created by Jenna Lamia and directed by Susanne Bier, unfolds over a Fourth of July weekend in Nantucket, where a lavish wedding is derailed by a shocking death. Anchored by a powerhouse cast led by Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, and Eve Hewson, the show combines soapy drama, biting social commentary, and a whodunit narrative that keeps viewers guessing until the final twist. With its stunning visuals, magnetic performances, and a frothy yet addictive tone, The Perfect Couple has become a cultural moment, sparking heated discussions across social media and cementing its place as a must-watch thriller.
A Star-Studded Ensemble
The cast of The Perfect Couple is a veritable who’s who of talent, blending seasoned veterans with rising stars to bring Hilderbrand’s Nantucket elite to life. Nicole Kidman stars as Greer Garrison Winbury, the icy matriarch and bestselling murder mystery novelist whose carefully curated life unravels when a body washes up on her estate’s beach. Kidman, who also serves as an executive producer through her Blossom Films, delivers a performance described by The Guardian as “gloriously waspish,” channeling a brittle yet fascinating character who oscillates between control and chaos. Her experience in similar roles, like Big Little Lies and The Undoing (also directed by Bier), makes her a natural fit for Greer, though some critics, like IndieWire, argue she’s on “autopilot” in this familiar archetype.
Liev Schreiber plays Tag Winbury, Greer’s charming but philandering husband, whose laid-back demeanor and penchant for Scotch and weed mask deeper secrets. Schreiber, known for Spotlight and Ray Donovan, brings a disheveled charisma to Tag, with The Seattle Times noting his “mumbling, stubble-laden” presence as a perfect foil to Kidman’s polished Greer. Schreiber initially hesitated to take the role, joking to Netflix’s Tudum that Kidman and Bier “bullied” him into it, but his addition of improvised singing scenes adds a unique flair to the character.
Eve Hewson anchors the series as Amelia Sacks, the bride-to-be marrying into the wealthy Winbury family. The daughter of U2’s Bono, Hewson, previously seen in Bad Sisters and Flora and Son, delivers a nuanced performance as an outsider navigating the Winburys’ opulent world. Her emotional gravity, praised by Collider, grounds the series’ “eat the rich” themes, making Amelia a relatable lens for viewers.
The supporting cast is equally impressive. Dakota Fanning plays Abby Winbury, the calculating wife of the eldest Winbury son, Thomas, whose sly demeanor hides a shocking secret revealed in the finale. Fanning, who worked with Bier on The First Lady, relished playing a “secret villain,” telling Tudum she loved Abby’s complexity despite her heinous actions. Billy Howle portrays Benji Winbury, the groom and middle son, whose affable nature belies a mysterious side, with The Hollywood Reporter likening his role to his work in Under the Banner of Heaven. Meghann Fahy, fresh off The White Lotus Season 2, shines as Merritt Monaco, Amelia’s vibrant maid of honor whose tragic death sets the mystery in motion. Her “award-worthy” performance, per Chicago Sun-Times, adds depth to a character with hidden layers.
Other notable players include Jack Reynor as Thomas Winbury, the troubled eldest son, and Ishaan Khatter as Shooter Dival, Benji’s charismatic best man with ties to the family’s secrets. Sam Nivola plays the youngest Winbury brother, Will, a new character not in the novel, while Donna Lynne Champlin steals scenes as Detective Nikki Henry, a deadpan investigator whose disdain for the rich fuels her pursuit of justice. Rounding out the ensemble are Michael Beach as Chief Dan Carter, Mia Isaac, Isabelle Adjani as the seductive Isabel Nallet (replacing the novel’s Featherleigh Dale), and Irina Dubova as the loyal housekeeper Gosia. This diverse cast, described by Hilderbrand as “one of the best ensembles of all time,” elevates the series’ soapy intrigue.
Plot: A Wedding Turned Murder Mystery
The Perfect Couple centers on the wedding of Amelia Sacks (Eve Hewson) to Benji Winbury (Billy Howle), set at the Winbury family’s sprawling Nantucket estate, Summerland. Greer Garrison Winbury (Kidman), a famous novelist known for her Dolly Hardaway mysteries, has orchestrated a lavish affair, complete with NDAs for guests and a PEOPLE magazine interview to maintain her perfect image. But the festivities implode when Merritt Monaco (Fahy), Amelia’s best friend and maid of honor, is found dead on the beach the night before the ceremony, transforming the wedding into a crime scene.
As Detectives Nikki Henry (Champlin) and Dan Carter (Beach) investigate, every guest becomes a suspect, with secrets spilling out like champagne. The nonlinear narrative, weaving between the rehearsal dinner, interrogations, and flashbacks, reveals the Winburys’ dysfunction: Greer’s icy control, Tag’s affairs, Thomas’s financial troubles, and Benji’s wavering commitment to Amelia. The series diverges from Hilderbrand’s novel in key ways, including renaming the bride from Celeste Otis to Amelia Sacks to avoid confusion with Kidman’s Big Little Lies character and introducing a different killer and motive. In the book, Merritt’s death is accidental, but the series, at Kidman’s suggestion, crafts a deliberate murder with a comedic twist in the finale, revealed as Abby’s act to secure the family trust fund.
The investigation uncovers Greer’s past as an escort, a secret she reveals to her family in a climactic, Kidman-driven scene that Variety calls “years’ worth of pent-up anger.” Tag’s affair with Merritt, resulting in her pregnancy, initially makes him a prime suspect, while Amelia’s kiss with Shooter strains her relationship with Benji. The series’ final twist sees Abby arrested, Greer and Tag’s marriage dissolve, and Amelia moving to London, where Greer visits her, having written a novel inspired by her resilience. The show’s pacing, while criticized by A.V. Club for unresolved subplots and a rushed ending, keeps viewers hooked with well-timed reveals and red herrings, as noted by Collider.
Nantucket’s Opulent Backdrop
Filmed in Massachusetts from April to June 2023, The Perfect Couple transforms Nantucket into a character itself, with its sprawling estates, pristine beaches, and cashmere-clad elite. Principal photography took place in Chatham, Eastward Point, and Harwich, with a rented mansion serving as Summerland, described by Hewson in N Magazine as a “stunning” set that underwent a complete transformation. The production’s use of Cape Cod locations, detailed by Wikipedia, adds authenticity, while the lush visuals—cashmere knits, oceanfront vistas, and lavish parties—evoke The White Lotus and Big Little Lies. The opening dance sequence, set to Meghan Trainor’s “Criminals,” features the cast in a choreographed flash mob, a playful touch that IndieWire notes signals the show’s lighthearted tone, though it jars with the characters’ seriousness.
Critical Reception and Social Media Buzz
The Perfect Couple has garnered mixed reviews, with a 62% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 56/100 on Metacritic. Critics praise its bingeable quality and stellar cast but criticize its lack of depth and reliance on clichés. The Guardian calls it “top-notch trash,” a “glorious, perfectly paced delight” that’s hard to resist, while The Chicago Sun-Times lauds its tight six-episode structure and Champlin’s scene-stealing detective work. However, IndieWire and The A.V. Club find it “frothy to a fault,” with shallow characters and a predictable plot that pales next to Big Little Lies. Variety notes its “magnetic star power” but calls the story “nonsensical,” while The Hoya appreciates the class tension but laments underdeveloped characters.
On X, fans have embraced the series’ soapy allure, with posts like, “Nicole Kidman and Eve Hewson in The Perfect Couple? I binged it in one day, so addictive!” Others echo critics’ frustrations, with one user writing, “Great cast, but the plot feels like a White Lotus knockoff. Needed more depth.” The show’s teaser trailer, set to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” and its PEOPLE magazine plot point fueled buzz, with the book’s sales surging 400% post-release, per Wikipedia. Hilderbrand’s excitement over Kidman’s casting, shared with Boston, and the announcement of a potential Season 2 on March 12, 2025, have kept the conversation alive.
A Guilty Pleasure with Ambition
The Perfect Couple distinguishes itself with its campy charm and sharp performances, particularly from Kidman, Schreiber, and Hewson, who navigate the fine line between drama and satire. While critics argue it doesn’t match the depth of Big Little Lies or The White Lotus, its concise storytelling and focus on class dynamics make it a compelling watch. The series’ changes from the novel, including a new killer and Greer’s escort backstory, add fresh twists, with Kidman’s influence ensuring a comedic edge to the finale. Deadline highlights the cast’s chemistry, with Schreiber’s Tag and Fanning’s Abby standing out as complex figures in a sea of secrets.
For fans of murder mysteries and rich-people dramas, The Perfect Couple delivers escapist fun, as The Seattle Times notes, with its “Downton Abbey with iPhones” vibe. While it may not reinvent the genre, its gorgeous Nantucket setting, biting one-liners, and a cast that relishes every moment make it a worthy binge. As discussions of a second season swirl, The Perfect Couple proves that even imperfect families can make for perfectly addictive television.
